In the wake of two major hurricanes, Emotional Support Animal owners find it easier to find new homes

In the wake of two major hurricanes, Emotional Support Animal owners find it easier to find new homes

After Harvey, Irma and Jose, Americans are preparing to embrace the latest hurricane, Maria. And every time a hurricane hits, millions of pets and animals are affected, just like their human counterparts.

The 2006 Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) act, went a long way in enforcing the rights of both owners and their pets. Congress amended the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, ensuring that emergency services would be in a state of preparedness following a disaster. It outlined methods in which rescue teams would help owners and pets at the same time – moving pets and humans out of harm’s way.

Hurricane Katrina proved that without adequate preparation, many pets and their owners can die. While 15,000 pets were rescued throughout the Katrina aftermath, over 90,000 pets were lost almost immediately. Additionally, around 600,000 dogs and cats were lost to the storm and were either found much later or never found.

With adequate housing which allows for pets and owners, such scenarios can be improved. 800,000 homes were ruined in the aftermath of Katrina. The latest hurricanes have also destroyed thousands of homes so far. Disasters like these make the lives of pet owners extremely difficult, especially during evacuation, and also post-disaster when they are trying to rehabilitate.

Many owners with pets would have been refused housing in the past, but Emotional Support Animal (ESA) owners have particular rights.

In the past, landlords have been able to disallow owners with pets from moving into their properties. While landlords may still choose to refuse tenancy for their own private reasons, if a current tenant has an ESA, the landlord cannot legally evict them. The landlord also cannot charge a traditional pet deposit for the ESA, which they had done for years.

These breakthroughs ensure that an individual can be housed properly in times of disaster. Emergency housing owners cannot legally refuse stranded owners or their ESA pets in their desperate time of need. This is an extremely positive move towards further understanding.

How to get an emotional support animal

While landlords have to follow the above guidelines, they may require the owner to show documentation proving their need for an ESA.

In order to turn your existing pet into an ESA, you need a letter from a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist. They need to verify that you are in need of mental support, and would certainly benefit from an ESA.

When your pet has an ESA letter, you can legally take it to places where animals are not usually permitted. In a disaster scenario, these laws are a vital legal protection for the owner.

Where To Get It

CertaPet.com is the current market leader for ESA services, connecting patients and mental health professionals online through an extremely user-friendly platform. They have been offering BBB certified services for clients for years and claim to provide a ‘fast, simple and confidential’ service for those in need. Their free screening has been very useful for users, and it allows them to cut through all the information to find what they need.